Elfrid Payton’s latest benching a sign Orlando Magic moving on
With Elfrid Payton out of the starting lineup again, his inconsistency may force the Orlando Magic to make some decisions about his role and future with the team.
Entering his third NBA season with the Orlando Magic there were high expectations on Elfrid Payton to improve his game and play a key role in helping the Magic reach the Playoffs for the first time since 2012. Coach Frank Vogel and the Magic organization had no question Elfrid Payton would be their starting point guard despite signing veterans D.J. Augustin and C.J. Watson in the offseason.
Things quickly changed after the Magic’s poor start this season.
As it has been the case throughout his short NBA career, Payton struggled early in the season. On Nov. 27, with the Magic in the middle of a three-game losing streak and a 6-10 record, Vogel decided to change his starting lineup and move Payton to the bench. It was a clear message from Vogel that no one’s spot as a starter on the team was safe.
Prior to the move to the bench, Payton was playing 29.8 minutes per game and averaging 10.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 18.4 percent from beyond the arc. This type of production was not what the Magic expected from Payton in such an important year for the team.
The struggles shooting the ball were the most alarming issue to the Magic. It led to the team turning to D.J. Augustin as the team searched for more of an outside shooting presence in the starting lineup.
Following the lineup change, Payton did an outstanding job coming off the bench. Payton proved to be a difference maker as he embraced the role of being more of a scoring threat with the second unit. He found more freedom and started attacking more.
Payton ended up coming off the bench for 20 games in which he scored in double digits 12 times and scored 20 or more four times. As a reserve, Payton averaged 12.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds per game and shot 48.3 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite the role change, Payton still managed to average 27.8 minutes per game. The Magic also played better basketball with Payton coming off the bench. The team had a 10-10 record during the 20 games Payton served as a reserve and an overall record of 16-20.
Things seemed to be turning around.
On Jan. 4, Vogel decided to adjust his starting lineup once again and the change brought Payton back to the starting lineup. The Magic had been playing solid basketball up to that point. And it seemed Payton was flourishing in his new role. The lineup change did not make much sense.
Seemingly, Payton’s improved performance called for acknowledgment. Vogel’s way of showing it was by inserting him back into the starting lineup.
It did not go according to plan.
With Payton back in the starting lineup the Magic would go on their worst stretch of the season. The Magic went 4-14 between Jan. 4 and Feb. 7, which forced Vogel to alter his starting lineup once again. The change sent Payton back to the bench and this time C.J. Watson got the promotion to the starting lineup.
This stretch of games proved costly for the Magic as it took them out of playoff contention with a 20-34 record. During the 18 games Payton served as a starter he averaged 30.5 minutes per game, averaging 13.1 points, 5.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc.
Payton’s stats improved this time around as a starter, but the team struggled significantly.
Before the All-Star Break, the Magic would play four games with Payton coming off the bench once again. The Magic struggles continued as the team would lose three of the four games the team played with Watson as their starting point guard.
Despite the struggles this season, the Magic still believe they can make a push for a playoff spot after the All-Star Break. But with a 21-37 record it will take a miracle for the Magic to make it to the Playoffs
Payton is averaging 12.5 points, 5.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 turnovers per game this season, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 26.8 percent from beyond the arc.
While Payton is averaging a career high in points per game, he has taken a step back in some key areas including his shooting percentage from 3-point range. His unreliable outside shooting is one of the reasons why the Magic have had to rely on other point guards in the roster to try to bring a different look to the starting lineup.
Orlando Magic
With the trade deadline only a few days away, it will be interesting to see what the Magic decide to do with their starting point guard position.
Payton’s latest demotion to the bench clearly proves the Magic do not feel comfortable relying on Payton as their starting point guard going forward. It can be said that Payton’s days as a starting point guard for the Magic have come to an end. It is clear the Magic are at least exploring a few possible upgrades.The interesting question is whether his days as
The interesting question is whether his days as a member of the Magic are counted as well?
There were rumors indicating the Magic tried to acquire Goran Dragic from the Miami Heat and most recently there were rumors linking the Magic to Reggie Jackson from the Detroit Pistons.
Based on this, it is clear to see that the Magic are looking for a long-term solution at the point guard position. And the team is ready to turn the page on the Payton experiment.
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It is an unfortunate situation for both the Magic and Payton.
The Magic now realize this. Thus they are looking to use Payton as a backup point guard or as a trade asset to bring a proven quality point guard.
Payton has proven he has the skills to succeed in this league. But unfortunately not as a reliable starting point guard, which is what the Magic need.